To a Lady Who Desired Me to Love Her

Now you have freely given me consent to love,
How will you respond?
Am I to your mirth, or ardor stir,
Once I start to court;
Will you trouble, or scorn, or love me too?

Each petty charm can disdain, and I
Spight of your aversion
Without your permission can see, and die;
Grant a nobler Fate!
’Tis easy to demolish, you can form.

Therefore grant me consent to cherish, & love me too
Lacking design
To raise, as Love's accursed insurgents act
As whining Bards whine,
Acclaim to their charm, from their weeping eyne.

Grief is a puddle and reflects not clear
One's grace's rayes;
Delights are clear streames, your eyes look
Morose in more sorrowful layes,
Through joyful verses they gleam bright with prayse.

What may not allude to express you fayr
Harms, blazes, and darts,
Gales in your brow, nets in your locks,
Corrupting all your attributes,
Or else to deceive, or torture captive affections.

I’ll make your eyes like morning stars appear,
As mild, and fair;
Thy forehead as Crystall smooth, and clear,
And your unkempt hair
May drift like a tranquil Zone of the Ayr.

Rich Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Wealth)
I will use, to dress
Your beauties, if your Wellspring of Delight
With equall thankfulness
You but unlock, so we one another bless.

Delving into the Verse's Themes

The piece explores the relationship of passion and acclaim, as the speaker addresses a lady who desires his love. Conversely, he suggests a mutual agreement of artistic praise for private pleasures. The phraseology is elegant, combining courtly traditions with frank statements of longing.

Within the lines, the writer dismisses usual motifs of unreturned affection, like sadness and lamentation, arguing they obscure true charm. He prefers delight and praise to showcase the lady's attributes, assuring to portray her eyes as shining orbs and her hair as flowing air. This method emphasizes a practical yet clever outlook on connections.

Key Components of the Piece

  • Shared Exchange: The poem focuses on a offer of praise in exchange for delight, highlighting balance between the individuals.
  • Spurning of Standard Motifs: The poet condemns common poetic devices like sadness and similes of suffering, favoring upbeat depictions.
  • Creative Skill: The application of mixed verse measures and rhythm demonstrates the author's mastery in verse, creating a fluid and compelling text.
Rich Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Wealth)
I shall expend, to dress
One's charms, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
With matching gratitude
One but open, so we mutually favor.

This verse captures the central arrangement, where the author vows to employ his creative abilities to celebrate the woman, in exchange for her willingness. The wording blends devout hints with earthly desires, providing depth to the work's theme.

Andre Gordon
Andre Gordon

A passionate iOS developer with over 8 years of experience, specializing in Swift and creating user-friendly apps.